All provinces and territories are represented at the games, including a contingent of over 300 athletes from Eastern Door and the North. As well, several hundred athletes are expected from New York, Wisconsin, Colorado and at least five other U.S. states.

"It's been a couple years in planning and we're anxious to start," Norman Ettawaycappo, an operations consultant for the games, told CBC News Friday. "We have about 200 to 300 participants arriving today."

As is common with such events, organizers rely on volunteers to help out. Despite concerns that the number of volunteers signed up was low, two weeks ago, organizers said Friday that is no longer an issue.

"We're pretty close to our revised goal of 2,000 volunteers," Ron Crow, CEO of the 2014 games, said Friday. "We're something like about 1,800. So this last little push has really increased the numbers."

Crow added they had a feeling people from Regina and the area would come through.

"We always had confidence that this community is the volunteer capital of Canada," Crow said. "And we really appreciate those that are stepping up and helping us out."

There are 14 competitions taking place at a number of venues throughout the city and all sporting events are free to the public.

There is also a strong cultural component to the games, centred around the campus of First Nations University.

The sports:

3D Archery July 22-24 Wascana Archers

Athletics July 23-25, Canada Games Athletic Complex (Douglas Park)

Badminton July 21-25, Regina Sportplex (Fieldhouse)

Baseball July 22- 25, Optimist Park

Basketball July 21- 24, University of Regina/ Miller High School

Canoe July 21- 24, Wascana Lake

Golf July 22-25, Tor Hill Golf Course

Kayak July 21-24, Wascana Lake

Lacrosse July 22-26, Al Ritchie Arena/ Doug Wickenheiser Arena

Rifle Shooting July 22-24, Regina Wildlife Federation

Soccer July 21-26, University of Regina/ Leibel Field (Douglas Park)

Softball July 22-26, Rambler Park/ Douglas Park

Swimming July 23-25, Moose Jaw Kinsmen Sportsplex*

Volleyball July 24-26, University of Regina/LeBoldus High School

Wrestling July 21- July 23, University Of Regina

* Swimming events are being held in Moose Jaw with support from a B.C. athletics group. Organizers of the 2014 NAIG were not able to get enough officials to oversee a formal swim meet so the Moose Jaw competition is an informal event.

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